Does my auto or homeowners insurance police cover damage to the mailbox?

Since 2013, the United States Postal Service has promoted a measure that will save the agency billions of dollars. By requiring owners of newly built homes to use curbside mailboxes like those used by millions of other homeowners and renters, the associated costs will be significantly reduced.

Although the change favors cost-cutting efforts, it does come with a degree of inconvenience for those accustomed to traditional front-door delivery. That downside, however, doesn’t compare to the real risk posed by the newly introduced location near the road: exposure to damage from a colliding car or other type of vehicle.

Due to the fact that mailboxes located on the side of the road are in close proximity to the constant movement of cars and trucks, there is an extremely high risk of them being hit and damaged.

Can I file a related insurance claim?

If another driver shows up at your mailbox, be sure to ask for their phone number and address, as well as their driver’s license information. After that, make an official police report and file an insurance claim with the driver’s car insurance. Purchase another mailbox like the one you are replacing and keep the sales slip so there is proof of cost for the insurance reward.

As life goes on, chances are you won’t be home if another car damages your mailbox. So what, right?

Check your gates for contact information that may be left by a summoned police officer or the driver himself. You can also call the police and see if a police report has been filed on the accident. In the event that you do not discover a note with relevant contact information or something on an associated police report, be sure to file a hit and run accident police report as soon as possible. If that gets you nowhere, you can still opt for a homeowner’s insurance claim. However, be prepared for an outright denial or a denial based on not meeting deductible requirements.

In case your mailbox has been damaged due to vandalism, you can do the following:

• File a police report so the vandal will pay you when you are arrested as part of a court decision.

• You can also see if your homeowner’s insurance policy will cover you for an act of vandalism like this. Check with your independent insurance agency for a professional opinion on the matter.